Callum Johnson Gives Yarde a Good Shot of Stunning Kovalev

While the fight has yet to be officially announced, undefeated puncher Anthony Yarde is expected to get his mandatory crack at WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev in the coming months.

Another dangerous puncher at 175, Callum Johnson, believes Kovalev has already seen his best days. He feels his countryman has a very good shot of walking away with world title.

“I’ve not heard a great deal about it recently but that’s sometimes a good thing so good luck to Anthony if it’s happening. If he goes out there and takes his chance to win the world title off Kovalev then fair play to him. It’s a tough fight but I think Kovalev is past his best years and we know Yarde can bang, so he’s definitely in with a chance of winning out there, so all the best to him,” Johnson said to Boxing News.

Johnson himself is trying to inch his way back to another world title shot.

Last October, he challenged IBF world champion Artur Beterbiev. He managed to drop and hurt the champion, who eventually recovered and stopped Johnson in the fourth.

Johnson came back in forced when he battered and stopped Seanie Monaghan in three rounds in March.

He hopes to eventually secure another fight with Beterbiev.

“Beterbiev is at the top for me and obviously brings a lot of power and strength but it’s that fearsome reputation more than anything. I think I let that reputation get to me a little bit, but now I’ve been there, I’d love the chance to have another crack at him," Johnson said.

“I’ll be better next time, more mentally prepared and I think it will be a different result next time but then I don’t think it’s one of those fights that will ever go to the judges. One of us will get knocked out, with us meeting in the middle of the ring, along with all the strength and power that we both possess, means it’s unlikely to go to points.”